airBaltic Unfazed by Fuel Prices - Zilberts Promises to Keep Flying Until Bond Money Runs Out

airBaltic representative Zilberts announced that the airline does not plan to cancel flights due to rising fuel prices. This is roughly the same as saying that the heaters at Liepāja's ice hall will never be turned off, even if the electricity bill exceeds the hockey team's annual budget.

Zilberts emphasized that the company is closely monitoring the situation and evaluating various development scenarios. Local aviation expert Valdis Sērkociņš comments: "Well, they evaluate scenarios the same way we in Liepāja evaluate weather conditions - every day we expect a miracle, but prepare for the worst." In reality, airline ticket prices are determined by demand, competition and overall market situation, which means - we'll pay as much as we paid, just for less.

Interestingly, airBaltic bond prices are falling faster than the temperature in Liepāja in January, but management evaluates this as "part of broader market dynamics." The company's approach is based on long-term goals, not reactions to individual fluctuations. This is almost as convincing as telling hockey fans that the ice hall will be warm if we just believe long enough.

Currently, the Latvian state owns 88.37% of airBaltic shares, but after the upcoming IPO... oh wait, the IPO has been suspended. As one Grobiņa entrepreneur said: "Better this way - at least now we know that we know nothing." The company will operate with negative cash flow in 2026, which in aviation means the same thing that winter without fuel means in Liepāja - theoretically survivable, but practically problematic.